Goal-hungry Comrades flying high as Oxhey Jets are downed

Free-scoring Berkhamsted moved back into the top six of the SSML Premier Division with a convincing 5-1 win at Oxhey Jets on Saturday.

James Baldry was fit to return to the Berko defence, allowing Adam Mead to move up the pitch, while George Carbery was recalled and had a fine game as Josh Chamberlain missed out with flu.

It was Mead who opened the scoring with a fierce shot that gave the Jets goalkeeper no chance, before a groin strain to Steve Hawes brought on Jude Eboji and forced Berko to again rearrange the side.

Dan Weeks moved across the back four and Mead reverted to defence, with Jets’ man of the match Adam Lowton almost capitalising on the reshuffle as he struck the cross bar when he broke through on goal.

However, Berko regrouped and some careless defending from the home team allowed Bradley O’Donovan to shoot home two more first half goals for the Comrades who sailed into a 3-0 lead.

A dead leg for Max Farrelly meant he was replaced by Jay Caines in the first half, and the Jets pulled a goal back through Jon Daily with a shot in first half stoppage time.

Berko soon restored their three-goal cushion soon after the interval, however, as Frankie Jowle scored the goal of the game. He brought the ball down well and beat two men before shooting past Baker to make it 4-1.

There was further good news for the Comrades as Adiel Mannion – who was injured in a pre-season game – came off the bench and marked his first competitive match of the season with the fifth Berko goal.

As Hoddesdon Town were winning in the FA Cup, Berko moved above them into sixth spot in the Premier division table with a game in hand on most teams above them.